The High Court has sentenced a 49-year-old security guard to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years and 11 months, after convicting him of murder and grievous harm. Joni Raciri appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu, who noted that Raciri pleaded guilty to the charges on October 12, 2023.
Justice Bulamainaivalu explained that he began with a four-year sentence, which he increased by an additional four years due to aggravating factors. These included the severe injuries inflicted on the victim, as well as the emotional and psychological trauma resulting from the assault with a garden hoe. The judge highlighted the victim’s vulnerable state due to intoxication and Raciri’s actions that prevented the victim from escaping.
In his ruling, Justice Bulamainaivalu stated that the sentences for both counts would run concurrently, resulting in a life sentence for Raciri, who has 30 days to file an appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.